Entered: 06/25/2017
Status: Adopted
Age: 8
Color: Liver/White
Weight: 50 lbs.
Gender: Altered Male
Location: Dumfries, VA
Health: UTD, HW-, treatment for eye infection complete, cataract in one eye/the other cloudy, deaf
Temperament: Good with people as young as teens, needs help adjusting to other dogs, unknown with cats
Original: “He is low energy and low maintenance—as soon as he sees his people his eyes light up to greet them; then, he lies at their side for petting.”
Ben is a small, short legged, liver and white, neutered 8-year-old male who was a stray found by a New Jersey shelter. A neighbor said the owners left the area and did not take their dog. The shelter neutered him and provided meds for an eye infection. Ben has a cataract in the eye that was infected.
This somewhat overweight guy walks nicely on the leash and is benefiting from several walks a day—once he understands that the walk is inevitable. He was labored with breathing at first, but now is becoming used to the routine. Losing weight helps him not to pant so much—welcome to the club, Ben! Also, since he likes to swim, he is exercising himself swimming in the creek.
Although he is very nervous with and will growl at other dogs at first, Ben does well once he warms up to the others. When kept by his person’s side and petted while the new animals are introduced, he will slowly wander around with them. He does ride well in the car.
Ben is housetrained, and does not hop on furniture. He sleeps in the bedroom on a doggie bed. He has the roam of the house and can be left all day if his people are at work. This is an inside dog, a Velcro boy, and when folks are gone he goes to the bedroom to sleep. Ben has no bad habits of digging, counter-surfing or chewing. He does, however, lick and try to hump legs but can be stopped by being strongly pushed away.
This love knows sit and give paw by hand commands and will fetch a ball in the house a few times for his exercise. He does not bark and can always be found sleeping in the bedroom when his folks come home. He is low energy and low maintenance—as soon as he sees his people his eyes light up to greet them; then, he lies at their side for petting.
Ben allows his foster mom to trim his nails, clean his ears and clip his hair. If he is hurt in the process, he will snap. He was very nervous at the vets and a muzzle is recommended.
Mr. B, who is probably very confused by all the changes in his life recently, should probably have a home with adults and teen-aged children. He needs love, understanding, much petting and walks, possibly a place to swim and a stable MAESSR family.